OF SCHIRROSITY OR HARDNESS OF THE WOMB.
Of phlegm neglected, or not perfectly cured, is generated a schirrus of
the matrix, which is a hard unnatural swelling, insensibly hindering the
operation of the womb, and disposing the whole body to slothfulness.
_Cause._—One cause of this disease may be ascribed to want of judgment
in the physician; as many empyrics ministering to an inflammation of the
womb, do overmuch refrigerate the humour, that it can neither pass
forward nor backward; hence the matter being condensed, degenerates into
a hard substance. Other causes may be the suppression or the menstruous
retention of the lochi, or after purging; eating of corrupt meats, &c.
It may proceed also from obstructions and ulcers in the matrix, or from
evil effects in the liver and spleen.
_Signs._—If the bottom of the womb be affected, she feels a heavy burden
representing a mole; yet differing in that the breasts are attenuated,
and that the whole body becomes less. If the neck of the womb be
affected, no outward humours will appear; the mouth of it is retracted,
and feels hard.
_Prognostics._—Schirrus confirmed is incurable, and will turn into a
cancer, or incurable dropsy, and ending in a cancer, proves deadly.
_Cure._—Where there is a repletion, bleeding is advisable; open the
medina on both arms, and the saphena on both feet, more especially if
the menses be suppressed. Prepare the humour with syrup of borage,
succory, and clarified whey: then take of the following pills according
to the strength of the patient:
Take of hiera picra six drachms, black helebore, polybody, of each two
drachms and a half; agaric, lapis lazuli, abluti salindiæ, coloquintida,
of each one drachm and a half; mix them and make pills. The body being
purged, proceed to mollify the hardness as follows: the privities and
neck of the womb with unguent, decalthea, and agrippa; or take opapanax,
bdellium, ammoniac, and myrrh, of each two drachms, saffron half a
drachm; dissolve the gum in oil of lilies and sweet almonds; with wax
and turpentine make an unguent; apply below the navel diacoon, ferelina;
make infusion of figs, mugwort, mallows, pennyroyal, althea, fennel
roots, melilot, fenugreek, boiled in water. Make an injection of
calamint, linseed, melilot, fenugreek, and the four mollifying herbs,
with oil of dill, camomile, and lilies dissolved in the same. Three
drachms of the gum bdellium; cast the stone pyrites on the coals, and
let her receive the fume into the womb. Foment the secret parts with the
decoction of the roots and leaves of danewort. Take gum galbanum,
opapanax, of each one drachm, juice of danewort, mucilage, fenugreek, of
each one drachm; calf’s marrow an ounce, wax a sufficient quantity; make
a pessary.
The air must be temperate; use no salt meats.